Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1887-11-03
a NEEDED AMENDMENTS.
The Land Laws and the Cattle
Interest Ably Discussed.

Interest Ably Discussed.
tFrom the Weekly Gazette and stockman. ]
Mr.. G. ". Irish, U. 8. Surveyor Gen
eral of Nevada, in his report to the
Land Commissioner for 1887, refers as
follows to the need Of amendment to the
Laws, to permit the development of the
Atock raising interest by the segregation
and sale in adequate ranges, Of lands,
purely aud permanently pastoral in
their nature:
There is yet much to be learned
about Nevada tillable lands. for farm
ing here is in its infancy. gather
from State reports for January, 1887,
that there was then only about 100
square miles of titled lands in the State.
Making rough estimate from mnps in
my possession, find that 1000 square
Jniles Of the surface of Nevada is occu-
pied by mountain ranges; and Al ZOO
square miles lands, denominated des-
erts, aud including it's water surface
The remaining 81 900 square miles con-
sist Of rich agricultural lands, needing
only water to, under the hand of hus.
bandman, TEEN with valuable crops,
and give the State q sturdy, steadfast
population and increasing wealth,
which, added to that produced by the
mines and by the vast herds of cattle,
horses and sheep which the State will
support, will place her in the front RINK
of States.
"The cattle interests are now next TO,
II not in the lead of mining, in value
and importance. Great herds are to be
found in every quarter of the State :.
The animals are herdsd Mt the foot of
the mountains and in the valleys during
the Winter, and upon the mountains in
the Summer. The proprietors of thesn
herds perceive that they have over
Etocked the country to such un extent
that the bunch grass and other plants
which formerly constituted it's riches as
grazing region are rapidly being ex-
terminated. This han turned their at
tention to raising hay for Winter feed
ing, and of this necessity for increase of
the hay crop hns come large demand
for tillnble lands. This demand from
this source alone will increase from
year to year. and to it will be added a
further demand for such lands by other
classes.
"As the laws now stand it is next to
impossible for the owner of herd OF
cattle to acquire title to the lands which
he must possess in order to carry OH
his business successfully. The lavs
should be so amended that the noun.
tain and desert lands can be acquired
as ranges in large tracts, reserving the
water rights for the use of those who
will utilize the water of the mountain
canyons for agricultural purposes on
the plains below, and the mineral
lands for the miner. can see nc
reason why these otherwise useless
tracts, 30 large in extent, should not be
ny law made as available for the pur-
pose of stock raising, and conseq uently
become the source Of revenue to this
State and the United States, as are the
mineral lands reserved and made avail.
able to the prosPector aud mineral
claimant. The vast mountain chains
and widely extended desert plpins are
now yearly battle ground upon which
couteuding herdsmen meet, and by
wnger OF battle decide who shall use
them.
ut is not equal and exact justice Ia
all olasses of citizens, where the deliver
in one source Of wealth. in the same
region, Is fully protected in his rights
because, forsooth, he has been the
lucky discoverer of mineral ledge or a
bed Of salt, borax or soda, while along.
side of him IL an equally industrious
aud just az necessary mon TO the body
tpoIhic, TO- whom is denied all rights,
4 a.